The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-03-11
Majority for bonds Is.
COMMUNICATED.

EuttoE FTec ITcSSs
From last Sundays Pioneer Press / clip
the following gushing tribute to the st.
Paul delegation at large for the many
favors shown the capital city,
"To this record of good work is to be
added the considerable bulk of local st.
Paul legislation. The city Jared exceed
ingly we'll at the hands ofthe legislature,
and more important changes were made
in our local government than In the en-
tire history of previous legislation.
Aside from the authorization of bond is
sues, the board of health, the board of
public works and the board of education
are remodeled and made appointive
by the mayor; the city is redistricted on
an admirable plan, and six out of the
seventeen aldermen are to be chosen at
large. A park commission, invested
with ample powers, has been created.
Salaries have been increased in meritori-
Gus cases and in some cases Of doubtful
expediency; an additional judgeshIp is
created assessments for public improve
ments may be paid, with interest, in FIVE
annual installments, and the city is at
last empowered to make its highways
decent and safe by compelling the
sprinkling of streets in summer and the
cleaning of sidewalks in winter. The
Ramsey county delegation deserve praise
for their arduous and well-aimed efforts,
and the legislature hearty thanks for
the courteous promptness with which
our local bills we're assented to-"
read this with considerable interest
and some wonder as to whether all other
portions of the State and equally as
needy of legislative favors as st. Paul,
were as well cared for as our capital
city. l have no quarrel with st. Paul
for receiving these favors at the hands
Of our law makers, but when rejecting
upon the fact that Of all the claims of
Southern Minnesota generally and Blue
Earth county in particular, have re-
eeived comparatively nothing, I can on
ly wonder if our failure was due to
lack of ability or carelessness on the
part of our delegation to present and
press their claims upon their fellow
members. 1t is true that the people of
Blue Earth county were legally author
lied to vote tax of $50 600 upon them
selves to finish their court house, quite
privilege Of course, and one for which
we are very much obliged to the State
solons, and it is also said to be true that
the paltry sum of 5000 in addition to
the regular or current expenses was
voted to the Second State Normal school
TO purchase grounds, part of which the
Normal board and patrons of the school
supposed they purchased a few years
ago, but which by some oversight and
error, was omitted from the deed, but
the main appropriation for q much need
ed enlargement of the building was
stricken out, although Representative
Bennett and associates in the House
succeeded in getting it through that
body, yet it failed in the Senate. Sena-
tor Pope claims for want of time"
This is an institution which Is chiefly
patronized by the people, the farmers
and mechanics of Southern Minnesota,
although located in this city, and has
been sadly crippled in its usefulness for
the last three years for want of room
and must now go on two years more in
the same crippled condition refusing adj |
mission to pupil, for lack Of accommoda-
ton as has been done for some time |
past. 1t is query in the minds of some |
whether a portion of the Senator's time |
devoted to arguing the building Of al
Soldiers Home for the care and support
Of the Nations INDECENT soldiers by the
State of Minnesota, thus relieving the
treasury and, of course, the rebel
Democracy of all care of the old and
INDECENT veterans that their treason
caused, and his strenuous efforts to re-
gulate the business of railroad corpora
lions, might not have been more profit
ably spent in efforts to draw this benefit
10 his home constituents and a part of
The State which seems to have been sad
y neglected by the State legislature.
Yours FOR THE RIGHT.